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KC woman up for 'Sunniest Person' honor

A woman who helps to brighten even the darkest days for people in the Kansas City area is one of three finalists for the title of Sunniest Person in America.

Lara Stanze is the founder of Spread a Little Joy, an organization that helps people with life-threatening illnesses.

Stanze began her quest after getting her mother a trip to see "The Oprah Winfrey Show" three years ago, just before her mother died from ovarian cancer. Stanze said she spent her mother's last days trying to fulfill her dreams.

"I feel like those are the moments that got me through losing her, looking back and having those moments in my head," Stanze said.

The experience with her mother led to the creation of Spread a Little Joy, and Stanze's effort to help as many people with life-threatening illnesses as she could. Dreams have ranged from expensive trips to a woman who wanted an inspirational playlist for her chemotherapy treatments.

"This not only lifts them up, it lifts their families up," Stanze said.

"I've never heard of any kind of program like that, but if there's going to be one, I can see why Lara's going to be in charge of it, because she's just great," said Barbara Marmet, an 8-year survivor of stage 4 breast cancer who got to take her family on a Caribbean cruise.

Ocean Spray has named Stanze as one of three finalists in its effort to find the Sunniest Person in America. Marmet said that comes as no surprise to her.

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